[Event "Moscow-ch23"] [Site "Moscow"] [Date "1943.12.??"] [White "Smyslov, Vassily V"] [Black "Botvinnik, Mikhail"] [Result "1-0"] [Annotator "Nemec Vjekoslav"] [Variant "Standard"] [ECO "C82"] [Opening "Ruy Lopez: Open, Dilworth Variation"] [Source "https://lichess.org/study/nsspObqZ/iQnBAWHt"] [Orientation "white"] { Smyslov's career - just like the careers of so many other chess players of that era - was inevitably affected by World War II, during which all International Chess Competitions ceased (and during which the whole world was sent on turmoil, obviously). In fact, many of Smyslov's chess-playing peers and even childhood friends, who weren't necessarily as strong as him, were called to the army and ended up losing their lives on the battlefront. Fortunately, Smyslov was not one of them as he got a job in aviation (I believe, but don't quote me on it) and spent the war years working in an office, away from the front. On the other hand, even though there weren't any International tournaments at the time, the Soviet Chess Federation was keen on not letting their players get completely rusty and organized quite a few tournaments during the War Years. It was during one of those war-tournaments - the Moscow Championship 1943 - when Smyslov managed to defeat the great Mikhail Botvinnik for the very first time. } 1. e4 { As we said, back in the day Smyslov used to play 1.e4 quite regularly. } 1... e5 { But this was a bit surprising move to see from Botvinnik, who was a great specialist in the French defence, but also the Classical Sicilian and the Caro-Kann. Then again,back in the day it was easier to be versatile in the opening. } 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 { I believe this is one of the rare instances where Botvinnik played the Open variation of the Ruy Lopez. } 6. d4 b5 7. Bb3 d5 8. dxe5 Be6 9. c3 Bc5 10. Nbd2 O-O 11. Bc2 { As mentioned earlier, I am not too keen to talk about all the intricacies of the opening moves and their subtleties at this point. If you want to check this particular line in greater detail, I would definitely recommend the course The Grand Ruy Lopez by Nils Grandelius on Chessable, as I know he covers the whole 9.c3 move order there in some detail. } 11... Nxf2!? { This sacrifice, leading to the so-called Dilworth variation in the Ruy Lopez, is extremely popular nowadays (as it is very direct and suitable for analysis with Modern computers). For example, it was recently seen in the Candidates tournament in a game between Nakamura and Caruana. } (11... f5 { when } 12. Nb3 { should objectively give White a good game. }) (11... Bf5 12. Nb3 { Is also a possible variation where White should be able to gain some advantage. }) 12. Rxf2 f6 13. exf6 (13. Nf1 Bxf2+ 14. Kxf2 fxe5 15. Kg1 { Is the modern main line of this variation. }) 13... Qxf6?! { But this is not the most precise move order, allowing White an additional option we will see on the next move. } (13... Bxf2+ 14. Kxf2 Qxf6 { Is one of the main positions of this entire line. White has two pieces for a rook and a pawn, but the practice has shown that Black's practical chances shouldn't be underestimated. }) 14. Qf1! { This is a difference. Now White manages to include the queen very harmoniously in the game and doesn't have to lose time by going back to f2 and back with the king, which means that White is comfortably better. } 14... Bg4 { Trying to increase the pressure on the f3 knight, but this is going into totally wrong direction. } (14... Bf5 { Is indicated by the computer as the best move, trying to neutralize White's strong light-squared bishop, although after } 15. Bxf5 Qxf5 16. Nb3 Bxf2+ 17. Qxf2 { White once again has a very harmonious position in which Black's combative resources are slowly running out. }) 15. Kh1? { But this is a serious mistake - an invaluable loss of time that can't be afforded in this position. } (15. Qd3 { Creating threats against both h7 and d5, was very strong here. It is hard to suggest what Black should do know. Probably best is to take on f2 to get the king out, say } { [%cal Rc2h7,Rd3d5] } 15... Bxf2+ (15... Qf5 { Going for the endgame doesn't really inspire as after } 16. Qxf5 Bxf5 17. Bb3 Bxf2+ 18. Kxf2 $18 { White should have a decisive material advantage. Furthermore, Black's pawn structure is not ideal (d4 and e5 are somewhat weakened, d5 is a target). } { [%csl Rd5] }) 16. Kxf2 Qh4+ 17. Kg1 $18 { And d5 is still hanging, White's pieces are harmoniously placed and it is hard for Black to find the compensation for the missing material. }) 15... Bxf2 16. Qxf2 Rae8 17. Qg3 Ne5 { Now suddenly things are looking a bit tricky for White as all Black's pieces are participating in the game while White is struggling with the development - and the king on h1 is also vulnerable to some back rank issues. } 18. Bd1 { It is understandable to want to reinforce the f3 point, but this is another anti-developing move that places another piece on the back rank. } { [%csl Gf3][%cal Gd1f3] } (18. a4 Bxf3 19. Nxf3 Nxf3 20. gxf3 Qxf3+ 21. Qxf3 Rxf3 22. Kg2 { We have avoided all immediate issues, although the position remains complicated and somewhat unpleasant. }) 18... Nd3 { This is a logical move, trying to activate the knight further, but it transpires that this is not the strongest option at Black's disposal! } { [%csl Gd3][%cal Ge8e1] } (18... h5 { Trying to create a diversion with the h-pawn was also possible. The idea is that affter } 19. h4 Nd3 $13 { White doesn't have the same h3 idea that was present in the game. } { [%csl Rg4,Gh3][%cal Gh2h3] } (19... Qd6 { might be even stronger again, though! })) 19. h3 { Now White at least opens up the back rank with a gain of tempo, although the situation remains very unpleasant. } 19... Bh5 20. Bc2 Nf4 { Creating ideas of Ne2 or Re2. } { [%cal Re8e2] } 21. Ng1 { White is desperately trying to cover the e2 square. } { [%cal Gg1e2] } (21. Bd1 { Is arguably better as now } 21... Ne2 22. Bxe2 Rxe2 23. Ng1 { Kinda works out for White, but who would want to put the bishop on d1 again willingly? }) 21... c5? { This move - trying to set the pawn chain into motion - is logical from the human viewpoint, but objectively not the best as it is simply to slow to meet the demands of this complicated position. } (21... Qb6!? 22. Nb3 Ne2 23. Nxe2 Rf1+ { The fact that g1 is under control and Ng1 is not possible is extremely annoying for White. } { [%csl Rg1][%cal Rb6g1] }) (21... Ne2 { The simple jump of the knight to e2 was also quite unpleasant as after } 22. Nxe2 Rxe2 { Black is very active. Maybe Botvinnik wasn't sure about what happens if the rook is kicked away say with } 23. Bd3 { but here there is a strong option } 23... Qe5! 24. Qxe5 Rxe5 { And this endgame is won for Black as White's pieces are not coming out anytime soon and the rooks are too active on the open files. } { [%cal Re5e1,Rf8f1] }) 22. Ndf3 { A logical move, moving the knight away from the path of the bishop, attacking f4 and also keeping it closer to the king. } { [%csl Gf3][%cal Rc1f4,Rg3f4] } (22. Nb3 { However, it was probably better not to place the knight on f3 and avoid all ideas of Bxf3. Here if we continue in the same manner as in the game then after } 22... Ne2 23. Nxe2 Rxe2 24. Bd3 { Black doesn't have anything better than to go for } 24... Qe5 25. Qxe5 Rxe5 { But here with our knight already on b3 the evaluation of the endgame is different as after } 26. Nxc5 Re1+ 27. Kh2 { We have managed to get a pawn and get our pieces out and can play Nb3-a4 next trying to get the rook in the game. The engine insists this is still equal, but I feel only White can now play for the win. } { [%cal Ga2a4,Gc5b3] }) 22... Ne2? { But this now comes at the least appropriate moment, justifying White's play perfectly! } (22... Bxf3 { And now suddenly neither of the captures is fully satisfactory for White, e.g. } 23. gxf3 (23. Nxf3 { Taking with the knight looks very healthy and harmonious, but there is also a problem in the view of } 23... Nxg2! { When Black has enough counterplay for equality. } 24. Bg5 { Virtually the only move! } (24. Qxg2 Qxf3 $19) (24. Kxg2 Re2+ $19) 24... Qxf3 25. Qxf3 Rxf3 26. Kxg2 Ref8 { And in this endgame, Black is not worse as they have two pawns and a rook for the two bishops and a lot of activity on the open files. }) (23. Qxf3 { Taking with the queen is no good as it removes the queen from controlling the e1 square and allows the unpleasant } 23... Re1 24. Rb1 Ne2 25. Be3 { and here it seems White has it all covered but here comes the unpleasant } 25... Qe5 { when White is in major trouble. } { [%cal Rf8f3,Re2g3] }) 23... d4 { And this version of the endgame after } 24. Bxf4 Qxf4 25. Qxf4 Rxf4 26. Be4 dxc3 27. bxc3 Rd8 { Is also very unclear as White's pawn chain is very much ruined. Probably the game should result in a draw. }) 23. Nxe2 Rxe2 24. Bd1! { Now this surprising bishop retreat, bolstering the f3 knight, is very strong and justifies White's choice to move the knight to the kingside earlier in the game. } (24. Bd3 { Going to d3 is not so powerful now as after } 24... Bxf3 25. gxf3 Re6 { The pawn on f3 is under attack and there is no time for some Bd2 move. } { [%cal Rf6f3] }) 24... Re6?! { Not the most resillient, but in any case Black's position is quite bad at this point. } (24... Bxf3 25. gxf3 Re6 { Was probably more resistant as it at least ruined White's structure, but here since the bishop is not on d3 and since the other bishop is protecting f3, there is not much play for Black and White can continue calmly with } 26. Bd2 { When the position should be technically winning after f3-Bf3 next. } { [%cal Gf3f4] }) 25. Bd2 { Now White has managed to fully consolidate and should be better due to the slight material advantage. } 25... h6 26. Kh2 Re4?! 27. Ng5? { Flashy, but not necessary. Virtually any other move like moving the rook or the a-pawn would have kept a clear plus. } { [%cal Rd1h5] } 27... hxg5? { Missing the final saving chance. } (27... Bxd1! { Black could have actually allowed White to take on e4 as after } 28. Nxe4 dxe4 29. Rxd1 Rd8 { t transpires there is no easy way to get rid of the pin on the d-file. Black has ideas of Rd3-Qd6 and it is hard to make progress for White. Not an easy continuation to evaluate, but objectively 27.Ng5? relinquished all White's advantage. } { [%cal Rd8d3,Rf6d6] }) 28. Bxh5 { Now everything is in order and White should be easilly winning as Smyslov now has a bishop pair and the g-pawns are also doubled and weak. } 28... Re5 29. Bf3 Qe7 30. a4 { Opening up the rook is a typical idea in these, Marshall-like positions. } 30... Kh7 31. axb5 axb5 32. Ra7 { Seeking simplification is always a good idea in technically winning positions. } { [%cal Re7a7,Rg3e5] } 32... Qd6 33. Bg4 { Not falling for the trap. } { [%cal Rd2g5] } (33. Bxg5? { Would lose all advantage due to } 33... Rxf3 { when White has to settle for } 34. Qxf3 (34. gxf3?? Re2+ { Loses the queen and the game. It is never too late to spoil a chess game! }) 34... Rxg5+ 35. Kg1 { with equality. }) 33... Rd8 34. Kh1 $138 (34. Bf4 $18 { Here, and on the next move, the same tactic that was ultimately seen in the game was available. } { [%cal Rg3g7,Gg4f5] }) 34... d4 35. cxd4 (35. Bf4! { Was once again possible! }) 35... cxd4 36. Bf4! { Very strong, winning even more material! } { [%cal Rg3d6] } 36... Re1+ (36... gxf4 37. Bf5+ { Leads to the mate on g7. } { [%cal Rg3g7,Ra7g7] }) 37. Qxe1 Qxf4 { Now White has a clean extra piece and the conversion shouldn't be in any question. } 38. Rd7 { Simplifying even further! } 38... Rxd7 39. Bxd7 d3 40. Bg4 { Covering the d1 queening square is sufficient. } { [%cal Gg4d1] } (40. Bxb5 $18 { was also good enough! }) 40... d2 41. Qe2 b4 42. Qd3+ g6 43. Kg1 Kh6 44. b3 Kg7 45. Bf3 Qf7 46. Kf2 { The winning plan is simple - get the king to e2 and collect the pawn on d2. } { [%csl Rd2][%cal Gd3e3,Gf2e2] } 46... Qe6 47. Qe3 Qd6 48. Bd1 Qd5 49. g4 Kh7 50. Ke2 { And here Botvinnik finally decided he has had enough and called it a day. A fascinating, mind-boggling struggle kinda ahead of its time. It makes one brain explode to analyze this complicated game even with the help of the engines - I can only imagine how the players (and contemporary analysts) felt when trying to figure things out by using the board and the pieces. } { [%csl Rd2] } 1-0